FABOULOUS @ PEOPLE BY CRYSTAL

Fab check: You don't go from being reared in New York's Bed-Stuy-housed Bevroot projects to being recognized by Rolling Stone and MTV first time out - without a story to tell. Fabolous's grand entrance into the rap world began with some impromptu flow outside the PJ's, which led to a hastily arranged audition for music-biz mogul, mixtape king DJ Clue in early 1998. The only catch was that the laid back linguist would have to impress Clue while kicking it live for thousands of New York radio listeners tuned in to Clue's Monday-night Hot 97 show. Add the fact that CNN's Noreaga was in the studio, and you're probably looking at more game than you can handle.